Hydraulic Steering - How toReduce the Lock-to-Lock

[crabbait]

Speaking for Edwing owners, the 5-revolution lock-to-lock turn ratio on my boat bites! I am installing an iterim suicide-knob, but what is the ultimate solution?

I remember is 1969 when Pontiac came out with the new Firebird with progressive ratio power steering. Seems to me that such a system would be the jammies! Now I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but why couldn't I change the ratio by installing an automotive type power steering system?

Would a demand-driven electric pump for the hydraulic system be too much draw? What am I missing?

[crabbait]

Geeez...guess I am on my own. :shrug:

[Bait O' Eggs]

I am interested, I just dont know much about 1969 Pontiac progressive steering pumps being the jammies :shrug: Though I was wearing jammies with sewn in feet in 1969 :wink:

I did some research when I figured out I would have the problem I have, which is identical to yours.

First thing I figured out was Ed didnt do us any favors with the hydraulic arm that screws into the side of the motor. There is a much slicker system that mounts across the front of the motor and doesnt stick out a couple feet to the side of the motor. :depressed: Second thing I found was there is a faster hydraulic system, though if you make the hydraulic system twice as fast you need to use twice as much force to turn the wheel. I dont remember where I read it, but I found that somewhere on a hydraulic marine steering system and it seemed to make sense.

With shallow pockets I will just live with what I have. :depressed:

[BM-FISHER]

a lot depends on how much fluid you have to move threw the cylinder to atchive lock to lock. you can change your helm pump to one that moves more fluid like the Hynanutic H51 pump this one moves 2.75 cu. in. compared to most that move 1.7 to 2.0 thats a big differnce. the cost hurts though 470.00 also try ebay. hope this helps.

[crabbait]

Thanks. :applause:

I heard there was a way to reduce lock-to-lock from 5 turns to 3 1/2 and that must be it. I'll search the web and see what I come up with.

[Nalu]

That's the ticket.

In the meantime get a really small wheel. :smile:

[Bait O' Eggs]

Crabbaits already got a really small...... oh you said wheel, never mind :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[crabbait]

Hey! :eek:

The only thing small about me is my attention span.....

[Tagster]

I've got the same issue - the lock to lock thing, not the other :smile: - with my motors. I thought about the suicide knob, but if there is a way to cut it down, I would love to know if it works...

If you try it, can you please post the results?

Thanks,

Tag

[Boat Doc']

you can increase the helm to a 2.4 which will take the lock to lock down to 3.5 to 4 turns. The effort will increase about 30%. For more info try www.seastarsteering.com- (http://www.seastarsteering.com-) spoke to them this am.

[crabbait]

Too cool. That is the same helm I am already using except the pump is bigger. I will need two of them.

Thanks!

[Nalu]

Crabbait- I'm curious, why do you think the lock to lock is too much? I have a small one.....helm pump that is... :laugh: 1.7 cu inch helm on mine and never have had a problem with getting the boat to react quick enough using the kicker.(15 hp yami) This includes river fishing, and more difficult fishing in the ocean with swell, good wind, and chop. As you know, my boat is not small, and with the tall top acts like a very effective sail.

It's hard to pick up that size pump on ebay. If you do, you don't have to change both at once either. You're just pumping fluid around.

[Bait O' Eggs]

Crabby, sounds like the Seahawk is the same :shrug:

Lock to Lock on a Seahawk Thread (http://www.ifish.net/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=778268&page=1&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1)

I would like it quicker, but am getting use to the slower steering. :cool:

[Sensei-san]

crabbait, How about a TR-1? Then lock to lock is irrelevent. Just set it and go.

Putting power steering on a hydraulic ram that is not setup for the different pressures would be rough on the seals. Better to get a bigger capacity helm.